A Non-governmental Organization, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition GAIN has launched one of its new projects called Strengthening Nutrition in Priority Staples in Kaduna State aimed at improving nutrition and agricultural value chain in the state.
The Senior Project Manager Supply Chain in GAIN, Mr. Godwin Enu Ehiabhi stated this during the launch of the project in Kaduna.
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition GAIN is implementing the Strengthening Nutrition in Priority Staples in Nigeria in partnership with GIZ and the Green Innovation Centre for the Agricultural and Food Sector in Nigeria with the support of the German government.
Mr. Godwin Ehiabhi said the project focused on four crops in Nigeria including maize, rice, cassava, and fleshed Sweet potato.
According to him, the States selected for the projects in Nigeria are Oyo, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kaduna State while in each state, the project would be implemented in four local governments.
Mr. Godwin disclosed that the local government areas to be implemented in Kaduna State are Lere, Kauru, Giwa, and Chikun.
He added that about two hundred and fifty thousand people are expected to benefit directly or indirectly in the four states.
He maintained that the main goal of the project was to improve access and consumption of safe, nutritious food in Nigeria by increasing consumption of nutrition, saying that, the project would last for five years.
Earlier, the project Manager, Business Support, Strengthening Nutrition Priority Staples project of GAIN, Mrs. Mercy Olarunfemi disclosed that the project has focused on agriculture value chain.
Mrs. Olarufemi stated that the project has three components comprised of Business Support, Workforce Nutrition, and Biofortification.
According to her, in the area of Business Support, there would be an empowerment grant, stressing that they would organize stakeholders engagement to see how best to work in the selected local governments in the state.
In a remark, the Director Produce, Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Bege Dutse Bungwon said the state government always welcomed Organisations that add value to already what it is doing.
Mr. Bongwon who described the plans of the Organization as a meaningful development urged them to sustain the tempo.
Also speaking, the Manager SMEDAN in Kaduna, Alhaji Badamasi Yau Barau expressed their commitment to support GAIN project to make it better for the benefit of people.
He also said SMEDAN will support GAIN through its Business Support Services via information, education and motivation.
Participants were drawn from the four local government areas.
COV/AMINU DALHATU